Cold Weather Gear

[gstukey 0]

Here in the Midwest, winter temps can be down right unbearable at times, even with blue skies as far as the eye can see. I am curious as to what thermal gear, if any, that others are using during cold weather jumps. I'm going put Under Armour cold weather gear to the test this winter, and was just curious as to its claim to fame. Stay safe and Blue Skies!

[Spatula 0]

I've been wearing UA Cold Gear for the past few weeks here in VA. This past weekend, ground temps were 45 on the airport and I wore:

Cold Gear Leggin's & Mock Turtle neck shirt
Sweatshirt
Sweatpants
Jumpsuit
x2 socks
liners and winter weight neumans.

With that I was fine....actually quite comfortable...oh...and a full face!!

[FrogNog 1]

My brief experience with "hot" Under Armor, which I use for running in the Winter (under my sweater and coat) is it gets sweat off of you and into whatever else it can.

I haven't tried "cold" Under Armor, so I don't know what it does differently. But I found "hot" Under Armor was chilling me once I was dry and I was sitting around with two shirts over it. It was weird.

Maybe Aggie Dave will know more.

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[gemini 0]

For glove liners you can also use non-latex surgical gloves. They block all wind to your hands and help keep the heat in plus they are thin enough not to change the "touch" of your gloves on the hackey and handles.

Blue skies,

Jim

[crazydiver 0]

I'll second the latex gloves under your regular gloves...huge help. I actually got mile frostbite on one of my fingertips last weekend because I skipped the latex liners since I ran out...keep your hands and face warm! I'm thinking about taking a neck warmer (those sleeve-like things that fit over your head) and sewing zp to the outside of it to block the wind so I can put it over my face. Who knows. Its definetly teh season for change of dress!

Cheers,
Travis

[Dionysus 0]

It sounds like you have the body covered, pardon the pun . If the Under Armor does not work to your liking I have had good luck with Patagonias R3. It's not exactly long underwear more like a thin set of sweats made of polypropolean (sp?).
As for gloves I have found the best to be the uninsulated Marmot windstopper gloves. I tried the insulated version but I found them to be too bulky for my tastes. The uninsulated are only a bit thicker than my summer gloves but amazingly warm for the thickness. Even on the colder jumping days here in Colorado my hands stay warm.

[Kimblair13 0]

Jump nekid and think happy warm thoughts.

[philly51 0]

I jump year round (Cross Keys) and used a balaclava before switching to a full face. Since your profile lists you as a student, that might be an option. Gloves are the trickiest. Latex didn't work for me, but has for others. If you can, try not to put your gloves on until 5 minutes before exit, this prevents sweaty hands especially if you're in a heated plane and near the pilot. Last year I wore lined wind pants, silk long sleeved t shirt, turtleneck, and a nylon wind shirt (unlined). Coldest temp at altitude was -28F, and I jumped all day.

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, Shouting "...holy shit...what a ride!"

[AggieDave 6]

I'm a HUGE fan of UnderArmour cold weather gear. When I jump in *really* cold weather I'll put on a set of military Poly-Pro on over that. I jump with an open face (can't stand full-face helmets) and will wear a baclava (poly-pro). If its really cold I'll put a neck-tube thingy on as well. My usual set of gloves with latex gloves on under them does the trick. If its really cold I'll put on a set of wool liners on under a larger set of gloves. It starts to get harder to feel that way, though, so please be careful.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[SansSuit 1]

Quote

Jump nekid and think happy warm thoughts.

I LIKE that !! OK if I use it?

---

Peace,
-Dawson.
http://www.SansSuit.com
The Society for the Advancement of Naked Skydiving

[shall555 0]

Just got some REI Expedition weight long underwear bottoms. Wow, they stayed warm on my recent minus-10 degrees at 10,000' AGL jump! ( I made the first/last/only load this past Sunday... frigid - but fun.)

shall

[LouDiamond 1]

Take a look at mysteriosa clothing. I not only use it for skydiving but also for work be it under a wetsuit or my clothes.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[councilman24 37]

For gloves I've used thin neoprene scuba gloves with polypropylene liners to wick the sweat out. Works real well. I usually don't get this carried away unless it's really cold. I just wear the same leather and thinsulite insulated gloves that I wear all winter for casually wear. I've never liked sugical gloves. No where for the sweat to go. That's why the liners are important under the scuba gloves.

Don't get too carried away with the underwear. Remember that for most of the time you'll be just be in normal outdoor winter conditions. And indoors if you have indoor packing. Dressing like you were going to go sleding is warm enough. The only key is gloves and face.

If you don't use a full face don't start with you first winter jump. I never have gotten one. I've been plenty warm in a Protec with and a silk balaclava. Be careful to postiion your goggles to keep the balaclava from moving over your eyes but I've never had a problem.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[FrogNog 1]

Bala and Pro-tec like this?

-=-=-=-=-
Pull.

[councilman24 37]

Arrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!

You go out in public like that?

No, much too heavy of balaclava. The ones I use are very thin silk or polypropylene. The fit very tight. Think spiderman hood. They don't blow anywhere. And I still haven't figured out why nobody wants to where Kroop goggles anymore!

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE